The African Union (AU) has dismissed claims of genocide in northern Nigeria, countering warnings from US President Donald Trump that Christians face an “existential threat” from jihadist groups.
Trump earlier threatened potential military intervention, claiming radical Islamist attacks were killing Christians “in very large numbers” in Nigeria’s north.
He warned that if the violence persists, the United States could act, describing such action as “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
However, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the AU Commission, clarified at a press conference in New York on Wednesday that “there is no genocide in northern Nigeria.”
“The complexity of the situation in northern Nigeria should push us to think twice before making such statements,” Youssouf said.
“The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 230 million people, is roughly divided between a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim-majority north.
The nation has experienced recurring conflicts, including jihadist insurgencies that have claimed thousands of lives across religious lines.
The Boko Haram insurgency, active since 2009, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million, according to UN estimates.
Both Christians and Muslims have suffered from the group’s attacks, which often target civilians indiscriminately.
Youssouf urged international leaders to carefully assess Nigeria’s security challenges before making extreme statements about its internal situation.
He emphasized that oversimplifying complex conflicts risks misleading the global community and escalating tensions unnecessarily.
The AU’s clarification comes amid heightened international attention on Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism, as regional and global actors seek solutions to reduce violence while supporting local communities.